What is "coast waiter"

Coast \Coast\ (k[=o]st), n. [OF. coste, F. c[^o]te, rib, hill, shore, coast, L. costa rib, side. Cf. Accost, v. t., Cutlet.]

1. The side of a thing. [Obs.]
   --Sir I. Newton.

2. The exterior line, limit, or border of a country; frontier border. [Obs.]

   From the river, the river Euphrates, even to the uttermost sea, shall your coast be.
   --Deut. xi. 24.

3. The seashore, or land near it. He sees in English ships the Holland coast. --Dryden. We the Arabian coast do know At distance, when the species blow. --Waller. The coast is clear, the danger is over; no enemy in sight. --Dryden. Fig.: There are no obstacles. ``Seeing that the coast was clear, Zelmane dismissed Musidorus.'' --Sir P. Sidney. Coast guard.

   1. A body of men originally employed along the coast to prevent smuggling; now, under the control of the admiralty, drilled as a naval reserve. [Eng.]

   2. The force employed in life-saving stations along the seacoast. [U. S.]

      Coast rat (Zo["o]l.), a South African mammal ( Bathyergus suillus), about the size of a rabbit, remarkable for its extensive burrows; -- called also sand mole.

      Coast waiter, a customhouse officer who superintends the landing or shipping of goods for the coast trade. [Eng.]

Waiter \Wait"er\, n.

1. One who, or that which, waits; an attendant; a servant in attendance, esp. at table.

   The waiters stand in ranks; the yeomen cry, ``Make room,'' as if a duke were passing by.
   --Swift.

2. A vessel or tray on which something is carried, as dishes, etc.; a salver.

   Coast waiter. See under Coast, n.

n. (context UK historical English) A custom house officer who superintends the landing or shipping of goods for the coast trade.